Bangalore: The Indian seed producers are looking at partnership and joint venture opportunities with multinational seed firms during "World Seed Congress 2003,"

The annual five-day event of the $ 30 billion global seed industry, which will begin from June 7.

The event, being held for the first time in Asia, is expected to give a big boost to the one billion Dollar Indian industry, World Seed Congress National Organising Committee Chairman, Dr Manmohan Attavar told reporters on June 4.

Quoting a World Bank study on the Indian seed industry in 1999-2000, Indian Seed Federation member Deepak Mullick said the traded seed market in the country was Rs 1,500 crore and exports accounted to Rs 100 crore.

Nearly 60 per cent of the seeds traded in India are by the private sector, which runs the Indian Seed Federation, and the rest by the public sector undertakings.

He said the total traded seed market was expected to grow to Rs 4,500 crore by 2010 and exports to touch $ 200 million by 2005, provided there were conditions conducive for exports.

The event will have participation from over 700 delegates and 350 corporates from over 65 countries.

"There are many areas where India can offer technology to the globe," Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company Ltd (Mahyco) President R B Barwale said.

The Indian seed industry sees a huge potential in the country in the world's largest arable land area - 168 million hectares of which 54 million hectares is irrigated.

PTI